Ireland: 1/18 of 18

Al available science indicates that badgers have little if anything to do with bovine TB in cattle, writes Lesley Docksey. This is reflected in Wales's consultation on its 'refreshed TB Eradication Programme'. We must hope that Northern Ireland's bTB Eradication Strategy will be equally science based - and ready to campaign hard if it relies on cruel, ineffective and expensive badger culls.more...

Badgers are having a rough time in England, writes Lesley Docksey. But it's no better in most other European countries, where they enjoy no specific protection and digging, baiting and shooting are widespread. Hence the new Eurobadger coalition formed to campaign for them Europe-wide. The one shining example is Holland - TB-free since 1999 without killing a single badger!more...

Local people are furiously trying to stop a fracking company from drilling near a drinking water reservoir serving tens of thousands of homes, after Northern Ireland planners failed to block Infrastrata's claim for 'permitted development' rights.more...

Momentum is gathering behind the UK's transition to a fossil free society, writes Guy Shrubsole. We know we need to leave at least 80% of proven fossil fuel reserves in the ground to avert catastrophic climate change. Here's a quick run-down of progress to date - and the key upcoming fights, including an invasion of the UK's biggest coal mine this weekend.more...

A scientific paper published today says badger persecution may be one of the reasons for the persistence of bovine TB hotspots, writes Oliver Tickell. A further finding is that the main risk factors for bTB are all to do with cattle - not badgers at all.more...

Northern Ireland shows just how much we need the EU's laws protecting nature, writes Andy Atkins - and for the Government to enforce them. The province's wonderful natural heritage is at risk from aggressive and often unlawful developments. And the EU nature laws are essential for us to fight off a host of threats - among them sand dredging, gold mining, road-building and over-fishing.more...

Government energy policy is caught between apparently conflicting objectives, writes Mark Hackett. But there is a solution that is already working in the UK and abroad - to encourage the active participation of local authorities in delivering low carbon energy to the communities they serve.more...

In a ground-breaking decision the BBC has admitted: it was wrong to state that badger culling in the Republic of Ireland had reduced incidences of TB in cattle. Will the decision stop the Government from making the same mistake?more...

A ten-year campaign opposing a Shell gas pipeline in a remote cornor of Ireland is documented in a major new film - The Pipe - and has become a focal point for a community's right to oppose corporations and central governmentmore...

Over 500 people have signed the online 'Fire Sammy Wilson' petition in 24 hours. The Green Party of Northern Ireland has set up the petition calling for the resignation of Environment Minister Sammy Wilson because of his refusal to recognise man made climate change.more...

Environment Secretary David Miliband's proposed reforms to the British waste collection system have caused no end of bitter debate. But would the public be more welcoming if the Secretary of State took a leaf out of Ireland's book?more...